Cairns Night Market

A combined hub up retail shopping and quality local dining, the Cairns Night Markets are one of the best spots in Australia to purchase souvenirs, with some excellent prices available on unique trinkets that serve as a great memento of your trip to Cairns. Perpetually crowded and buzzing, the Cairns Night Markets are an institution of the city that's open 7 days a week from 5pm and features a host of stores - numbering over 70 in total - that feature the likes of glass-blowing, children's toys, fashion and jewellery, and even massages all at a surprisingly reasonable price point. Centrally located across from Cairns' iconic Lagoon, the markets are an ideal time-killer to visit either before or after dinner when dining out in the middle of Cairns - or a place to dine at themselves, as they feature an eclectic mix of restaurants and cafes. Cuisines from multiple countries are represented here including Chinese, Korean, Italian, Thai and various others that all strike a reasonable balance between quality and budget. Shops here change frequently as well, meaning that there's always something new to see, taste, try or buy - which makes repeat visits viable for locals, as well. Other incentives such as the fact that they're indoors - and come with air-conditioning - help make the Cairns Night Markets an easy to recommend go-to place during rainy nights or on characteristically hot and humid Cairns evenings. While it's not a haven of 5-star dining, eating out at the Cairns Night Markets makes for a perfect way to keep costs down after spending money on exploring the reef and other regional highlights, while shopping here offers no better a destination to grab a keepsake that's easy to while away an hour or more.